Fantasy sports: Nothing personal when picking NFL defenses

As I sit to write this column, I am torn about my feelings when it comes to defense in the fantasy game. It's like finding yourself liking a Taylor Swift song.

The innovators of the fantasy game figured out a way to make a defensive unit of 11 guys play as active a role as individual players on the offensive side, a rule that seems to deserve some plaudits. It also, however, seems to mean that there are 10 more chances of someone ruining my week from that roster spot.

(The backup inside linebacker tripped on the chalk of the 40-yard line and missed that interception? )

So just how do we weigh this group of individual players when it comes to the fantasy position? Well, the Seahawks and the 49ers are toward the top of all preseason rankings not necessarily because of any specific player, but because of how well they work as a unit.

Then there are the Bears, though, who are also a good unit but look a little better because of special-teams standout Devin Hester's potential to break off a touchdown run on every return.

Hark! Dost my ears deceive me? Was that just a positive fantasy spin?

It was, and it might even feel good.

So, sure, the Broncos received a tough hit this week when linebacker Von Miller received a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, but he is still just one of those 11 players on the field at any one time. Miller is eligible to return for a game against the Colts on Oct. 20, so he will be around by the time the playoffs roll around and you really need him.

Phew! I feel more positive than a motivational poster.

That must mean it's time for a sleeper pick, that traditional optimistic spot for fantasy prognosticators. So here I will tell you that the Rams tied for the most sacks in the NFL last season with 52. That put them in a lock for the top spot with the Broncos, whom we already established were rather good.

I'm like a proton, Richard Simmons and the pointy end of a battery all wrapped into one.

Oh no, the Ravens won the Super Bowl last year, which is a good thing, but now their storied defense has to fight for a repeat title without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Wait, they signed Elvis Dumervil though? Release the balloons.

Even if you go wrong with whatever team's defense you draft, it isn't like everyone else in your league is going to be carrying two backup units on his bench. It is a forgiving position that you can fill and/or replace from the waiver wire if need be. One needs to be aware of what these teams offer (so you don't end up with the Jaguars or Raiders), but it isn't a spot that doesn't stand to break your team, as the potential good squads go deep this year.

And, with that affirmation, I end the unorthodox, all-optimism section of this column. But don't worry — we are never, ever, ever going to do that again.

Thompkins is worth a pick

If you need some the pessimism, there was the Patriots' preseason game against the Lions on Thursday. It was the third exhibition game, the one that is supposed to give you a feel for where a team is and not be the one where Ryan Mallett throws more touchdown passes than Tom Brady.

In the interest of lingering positivity, however, let it be noted that rookie Kenbrell Thompkins caught eight passes for 116 yards.

Granted, lead wideout Danny Amendola did not play in the game, which artificially enhances everyone else's receiving numbers. Thompkins also went undrafted this year, so he probably isn't Randy Moss-in-waiting.

But there apparently is enough interest by the Patriots' brass in seeing him play that he was targeted 12 times Thursday, a week after veteran receiver Michael Jenkins was released. As a Patriot, there is always the local caveat of jumping at Thompkins too early because we want him to be great, but if it is toward the end of a draft, one could probably do worse than selecting someone who could be Brady's second-favorite target.

Well, third-favorite once Rob Gronkowski returns, anyway.

The deeper we get into August, the more we have to question just when Gronkowski will return. Putting the Patriots' tight lips aside, it seems that the tight end has little (as in virtually no) chance of starting the regular season on the field.

He will, however, start the season on a roster in every fantasy league, meaning backup plans will be needed. So let it also be noted that fellow Patriots undrafted rookie Zach Sudfeld caught three passes for 36 yards Thursday, too.

Then handcuffing strategy of drafting backups is generally used with running backs, but being unorthodox and doing it with Sudfeld and Gronkowski (Jake Ballard did not catch a pass Thursday after all) may have some merit.